NGO insecurity in Afghanistan

Summary

Insecurity continues to be a serious issue in Afghanistan. This short report highlights the specific problem of NGO insecurity, as defined by the threat against NGO staff operating in the field. NGOs operate in all provinces of Afghanistan, including in areas where there is minimal UN or Government presence. Yet the unprecedented number of NGO fatalities has made it more difficult to reach those in need. This report also includes statistics on NGO fatalities in 2003, 2004, and the first five months of 2005, as well as the result of a survey of over 50 NGOs on how insecurity affects their operations.

I. NGO Insecurity

On May 1st, authorities found the bodies of three women in Baghlan province, at least one of whom was apparently killed because she worked for an NGO. This attack is part of a larger pattern of attacks against NGO staff in Afghanistan. In 2003, 12 NGO staff were killed in Afghanistan. In 2004 that figure more than doubled to 24 NGO fatalities. During the past 5 months, five more NGO staff have been killed in Afghanistan. General insecurity continues to be a serious problem in Afghanistan. This report is the first in a series of summary briefing papers that illustrates one aspect of this widespread insecurity – the serious and ongoing problem of NGO insecurity in Afghanistan.

NGO insecurity can be defined as the threat against NGO staff operating in the field. This threat impedes the ability of NGOs to gain access to beneficiaries, to deliver humanitarian aid, and to implement urgently needed reconstruction and development projects. In Afghanistan, the specific targeting of NGO staff by armed elements – in addition to the general situation of insecurity in Afghanistan – has created an environment in certain areas of the country (especially in the southern, southeastern and eastern regions) where many NGOs are either unable to operate, or are constrained in their operations.

Though comparative statistics are not readily available, the NGO fatality rate in Afghanistan is higher than in almost any other conflict or post-conflict setting. For instance, in 2003, the last year for which comparative statistics are available, the highest number of NGO fatalities occurred in Afghanistan, followed by Angola (6), Somalia (4) and Liberia (4).¹

Attacks against NGOs were also more geographically widespread in 2004 as compared to 2003. In 2003, fatal attacks were all confined to the southern and eastern parts of the country – especially the best of land bordering Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier Province, where the insurgency is most entrenched. In 2004, fatal attacks against NGO staff spread to provinces in the north and in the west of Afghanistan as well; this trend has continued in 2005.²

Beyond the direct impacts of humanitarian aid worker deaths, a dangerous trend is developing in which NGOs are forced to curtail projects or operate in fewer districts due to violence. This reduction in access to beneficiaries makes it more difficult for NGOs to ensure we are reaching those most in need, and potentially leads to certain areas receiving less humanitarian and development assistance, so critically needed across Afghanistan.

II. Fatality Statistics

Notes: ¹ “Chronology of Humanitarian Aid Workers Killed, 1997 – 2003”, compiled by Dennis King (15 January 2004), available at http://vranet.com/Govt1027/Docs/chron1997-2003.html

² This pattern is not limited to attacks on NGOs – for instance, 13 staff of the Joint Electoral Management Body were killed across the country in 2004.

³ All humanitarian personnel face similar threats. However, these briefing papers will focus specifically on NGO insecurity (including the ICRC), as opposed to attacks against UN staff, election workers, or private reconstruction contractors. The statistics below only include NGO and ICRC staff , both national and international.

⁴ At this time, there is still some question as to the NGO affiliation of the women killed on May 1st in Baghlan. Based on present information, it seems that at least one of the women killed worked for an NGO.

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